Page 131 of Jonas

“This is gonna hurt worse,” Jonas warned but gave me no time to prepare as one of his hands went between me and the concrete, and the other went to my shoulder blade and forcefully popped my shoulder back into its socket.

“Fuck me,” I yelled.

“That comes later, darlin’,” Cash said. “You okay?”

Minutes ago, I thought I’d never smile again, but there I was grinning at Cash’s stupid quip.

“I’ll be better when I’m off this filthy⁠—”

I didn’t finish. Jonas swept me into his arms and stood.

When he stood, I took in the carnage.

Natalie and Keith were very dead.

Jun De Chen had blood coming from his nose, and a red stain on his white button-down shirt, another red plume on his shoulder, but he was alive. Maybe not for long unless that stomach wound was treated.

His eyes came to me and narrowed.

“Put me down, honey,” I asked.

Jonas looked at Jun De, and his hold on me tightened.

“Please.”

With a harassed sigh, Jonas set me on my feet. The slashes on my ankles immediately made themselves known.

The sound of a door opening had me shifting closer to Jonas.

“It’s Viper and Three.”

I tried to remember who Three was.

I didn’t have to think for very long because Zane and Easton came prowling in.

Zane’s eyes came directly to me, and he did a top-to-toe scan—for a split second relief washed over his features.

“Take her out of here,” Zane growled.

Jonas shuffled me toward the exit, putting himself between me and Jun De Chen. When I was safely away from him, I stopped and turned around.

“Look at me,” I demanded.

Everyone’s gaze snapped to me, but I waited for Jun De to lift his eyes. Once I had his attention I smiled.

“You know what the best part of all of this is?” I asked, then answered my own question. “The elusive MSS operative got outplayed by a high school dropout.”

Jun De’s face turned to stone and that muscle in his cheek was jumping again. But the sneer didn’t appear until Lore busted out laughing.

I turned. Jonas wrapped his arm around my waist and practically dragged me out of the shop.

“Baby,” Jonas said with his voice vibrating with humor. “Next time, let’s not antagonize the MSS agent.”

“Fuck him, he was going to kill me.”

Jonas turned to stone—that was, if a stone could move, seeing as he didn’t miss a step, but his body was stiffer than granite.

“Sorry,” I muttered. “Too soon?”